Kent v Dorset - BICC 2015/2016 Season - Dorset County Darts

Week ending Sat 5th - Sun 6th of February saw Dorset travel to Tonbridge to The Six in One Club to Kent's home venue. Despite are defeat at home to Glamorgan 16-20 are hopes were high as Glamorgan are by FAR the best team in this division and we proved as a team we could live with them as they say, as both our ladies teams the A @ B beat the Glamorgan girls the only team to do that so far they took 9 of the 12 games available. So how did we do?

Up 1st Julie Boggust whose game went to a deciding leg which she took straight out, up next Katie Mitchell whose game also went to a deciding leg but her steady form deserted her in the final leg and she lost. Donna Mabbatt who has finally started hitting doubles won 3-0 in comfortable fashion with a lady of the match 19.27, wins for Sally Old and Cath Campbell gave the girls the win 4-1 with Joan Calvert to play, Joan down to the double but lost 0-3. A great start from the ladies B 4-2.

Up 1st for the Men's B Terry Gowans who despite hitting a 24.60 average lost to Kent's Man of the Match Paul Wratten who didn't miss much hitting a 31.98 average with 4x180s and started the match on for a nine dart leg. Next a loss for Dan Walker was followed by a win 3-0 for Matty Woodhouse, but then losses for Daniel Perry (who just been announced as the England youth captain), Nigel Lamb, John Clark and Bryan Pearson put the Men's B 1-6 down but hopes were still on for the draw. A nice win for James Lane and Robbie Martin who got Man of the Match with his 24.70 (that makes two in a row for Robbie) and a fine win for Alan Ayres winning on a 120 finish brought us back to 4-6. With the last two to play for Robby Morris it just was not his day as he lost 1-3 but up last Sean McMurray (who I spoke to earlier and said he could be going on last to get the draw) won 3-1 getting the overall draw for the day with the Men's B finishing on 5-7.

So going into Sunday the match all even at Kent 9 Dorset 9. I must be honest and say I was a little disappointed we didn't do better but that's darts and as the song says "what a difference a day makes" and I still had the belief.

The women's A well what a start with wins for Suzy Trickett (20.10) Sarah Chick who was our lady of the match winning 3-0 with a 22.77 average (the highest of the weekend for the ladies). Trina Perry took her game to a deciding leg but lost. Then wins for Julie Frampton (20.04) Peri Yarrow (21.76) and up last Claire Rogers gave our ladies A a 5-1 win so as per last game (against Glamorgan) they took 9 of the 12 points available and gave Dorset a commanding lead 4 of the 6 girls hitting 20+ averages.

Bring on the Men's A. Now Kent have 5 players in the top 40 running averages so I knew we were going to have a tough battle on our hands.

Up 1st and winning 4-1 Ryan Gowans who was our Man of the Match hitting a 26.59 average with a couple of 180's, followed by Thomas Chant (24.18) who lost after breaking throw first leg, another win for Mark Grimes (25.87) who is currently at the top of the men's merit table. Fourth on Mark Porter (24.61) whose game went to a deciding leg Mark missing three at that winning Double. Wins for Scotty Dog Mitchell (26.47) and Lee Edwardson (26.56) put Dorset at 18-12 with the draw guaranteed. With the losses for Richard Gomm (22.87) and Dale Masterman (25.76) I'm starting to think we've reached the finish line and are struggling (as we have in the past) to get over it. However up stepped Matt Read (25.35) and gave us the win for the bonus points. It was then a case of by how many?

Next up Lee Turle (25.87) who AGAIN drew the opposition Man of the Match in Nigel Fisher beat Lee 4-2 with a 27.16 average, Lee missing doubles to take match to final leg. Matt Yarrow won 4-3 (25.25) a player who never seems to suffer with the pressure and looks so at ease up on the stage his game going into a final leg which he took to the loudest cheer of the match. Last up Kevin Smith (25.05) displayed some fine finishing winning checking his legs out in 103, 75, 145 and 116 now that's some finishing winning 4-2. So the Men's A get the deserved 7-5 win and the end result.

Next game 2nd/3rd April home to Cleveland the home side of Glen Durrant ranked at no 1 in the BDO but with Dorset we have got the BELIEF and what a ladies side so BRING IT ON. GREEN ARMY marching up the table.

MARTIN'S HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the weekend the girls playing so well and forming a line on Sunday (of intimidation as I called it) to cheer our player up on stage it certainly seemed to work, Paul Wratten's (Kent) 31.98 game he didn't miss much, the team spirit even though we were the away side we were loud. Seems ages to wait to our next game and for me it can't come quick enough. So if you're free come and watch we play out of the Con Club (monkey house as it's known by the dart players) in Upper Parkstone. See you there.

RESULT

Kent 15 - 21 Dorset
Women's B Won 4-2 // Mens B Lost 5-7
Women's A Won 5-1 // Mens A Won 7-5

Match Report by Martin Maidment

Manager John Clark with his 325th appearance certificate.